U.S. patent application number 11/790731 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-17 for pediatric adapter for transillumination.
Invention is credited to Nizar A. Mullani.
Application Number | 20080015663 11/790731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38434118 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080015663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullani; Nizar A. |
January 17, 2008 |
Pediatric adapter for transillumination
Abstract
A transillumination device can use an adapter to make it more
appropriate for neonatal and pediatric application. The adapter
attaches to the bottom of the transillumination device and covers
the illumination source. An aperture in the adapter allows part of
the light generated by the illumination source through the adapter
and blocks the remaining light. The reduces light enhances the
transillumination device's ability for viewing pediatric
patients.
Inventors: |
Mullani; Nizar A.; (Sugar
Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN, WASSON & GITLER, P.C.
Suite 522
2461 South Clark Street
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
38434118 |
Appl. No.: |
11/790731 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60795558 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/90 ;
607/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0059
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/090 ;
607/088 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06 |
Claims
1. A transillumination device comprising a housing, a viewing area,
a light source illuminating the viewing area, an adapter attached
to the housing and covering the light source, the adapter blocking
part of the light emitter by the light source.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the adapter is removably attached
to the housing.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the adapter is arcuate and has a
first and second end, and an aperture in the adapter allowing the
passage of light.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the aperture is spaced
equidistantly from the first and second ends.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising projections on the
adapter engaging the housing.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising an aperture in the
adapter allowing for the passage of flight.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the viewing area is formed by an
open area in the housing, the open area including a slot formed in
the front edge of the housing, the light source comprising a
plurality of LEDS about the viewing area.
8. An adapter for a transillumination device comprising an arcuate
body having two ends, an aperture within the body, and means for
connection to a transillumination device.
9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the aperture is equidistant from
the two ends.
10. The adapter of claim 8 wherein the means for connection
comprise projections.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application 60/795,558, filed Apr. 28, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Transillumination entails shining of a light through a body
cavity or organ for diagnostic purposes. Typically,
transillumination is performed in a room where the lights have been
dimmed or turned off to facilitate the viewing of the part being
studied. A bright light is pointed at the cavity or organ and due
to the slight translucence of the part under consideration, some
light passes through the part. This test is often performed on
newborns or infants with hydrocephalus or males suspected of having
hydrocele. In addition, tests performed on breast tissue detect
lesions and/or cysts. In newborns, the test is used to
transilluminate the chest cavity if pneumothorax is suspected. Only
in newborns is transillumination of the chest possible.
Transillumination is painless and quickly performed with
inexpensive equipment.
[0003] The classic mode of transillumination shines light in order
to see internal details of the object. Another form of
transillumination is side transillumination. In side
transillumination, light shines from the side of the object to form
a virtual light source below the skin. The light source moves with
the device and allows transillumination of any part of the body up
to a depth of about 6 mm.
[0004] When performing side transillumination, it is beneficial to
shield the area to be viewed from ambient light. Side
transillumination devices for neonatal applications generate too
much light to be optimal.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a device to
perform transillumination on pediatric patients.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide an adapter
for a transillumination device for use with a pediatric
patient.
[0007] These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosure of
the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A transillumination device can use an adapter to make it
more appropriate for neonatal and pediatric application. The
adapter attaches to the bottom of the transillumination device and
covers the illumination source. An aperture in the adapter allows
part of the light generated by the illumination source through the
adapter and blocks the remaining light. The reduces light enhances
the transillumination device's ability for viewing pediatric
patients.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a transillumination
device having the pediatric adapter;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the transillumination device
having the pediatric adapter;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the illumination source of the
transillumination device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the pediatric adapter; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the pediatric adapter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the bottom view of the transillumination device
10 having the pediatric adapter 12. The manner in which the adapter
functions and its attachment to the transillumination device will
be explained in more detail below.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploder view of the transillumination device
and pediatric adapter. The adapter 12 attaches to the bottom 20 of
the device. The bottom has an arcuate opening extending to the
front edge to provide the user with a viewing area. A glass ring 22
extends about the edge of the opening. The device houses an
illumination source, such as a printed circuit board 24 provided
with LEDs 26. The user controls the illumination via a pair of
actuators 28 and contact 30 extending between buttons 32 and the
printed circuit board.
[0016] A top 34 and battery cover 36 complete the housing of the
transillumination device. Like the bottom, the top 34 has an
opening extending to the front edge to complete the viewing area. A
battery 38 provides a source of power for the illumination source.
A shield 40 helps block ambient light to improve the viewing of the
target area by the user.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a printed circuit board 24 having a series of
twelve LEDs 26. The LEDS may be white, red or orange. The four LEDs
in the middle are situated closer to one another than the remaining
eight LEDs. The remaining eight LEDs are evenly distributed between
the four central LEDS and the end of the arcuate opening formed in
the printed circuit board.
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts the top view of the adapter. The shape of the
adapter corresponds to the openings in both the printed circuit
board and transillumination device through which the user views the
area being transilluminated. The adapter may be secured to the
transillumination device in any suitable manner, including both
removably or permanently. One such manner is the use of projection
extending upwards from the top surface. The projections 14,16
secure the releasably secure the adapter to the device by engaging
the edge of the opening forming the viewing area.
[0019] An aperture 18 is formed in the adapter. When the adapter is
attached to a transillumination device, the four central LEDs
transmit light through the aperture 18. Light transmitted by the
remaining LEDs is blocked by the adapter. The reduced transmitted
light is advantageous for neonatal and pediatric applications.
[0020] The side view of the adapter, seen in FIG. 5 clearly shows
the extent of the projections 14,16 and their relationship to the
rest of the adapter.
[0021] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, variations and modifications would be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The invention
encompasses such variations and modifications.
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